Korean Job Discussion Forums

Beeg · Joined: 05 Oct 2003

Does that mean he must renounce his American citizenship???

This happened to my grandfather in the late 1940's, he was born in New York to Scottish parents and moved back to the UK when he was about 7 or 8. Despite having duel nationality he was made to do two years national service in the Royal Guards but had to renounce his American citizenship because the British Army (for a whole variety of very practical reasons) does not allow foreigners to serve in its ranks.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Tell me, would YOU want to serve in the korean military?!?!? Of course not. Fact remains, he was born in the US and that does not make him a korean citizen. You can't be born in two places. Duel or not. He screwed up by not taking care of this years ago. What? A korean moves to Canada, he was born in korea, because his parents are Canadian, he is forced to join the Canadian military? Because he reaps all the benefits of being a korean in korea does not meant he should be forced to join the military. His duty? That's a crock of bull. Forced military service makes for piss poor soldiers who won't be doing their duty with a happy face. It should be about choice which korea has not caught on to yet.

kimcheeking · Guest

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2003 4:26 pm Post subject: His

FUBAR · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: The Y.C.

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

jurassic5 · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Location: PA

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I'm talking about dual citizenship. If somebody is Korean- American but only American by nationality then i see no reason why they should have to serve in the Korean military. I see a lot of parents taking themselves to the US to have children so their children can avoid military service. this is a worrying social trend however.

Skarp · Joined: 22 Aug 2003

I put myself in the shoes of someone about to be drafted and come down firmly against obligatory military service.

It's wrong to force people to do this. It's also very harmful to the fabric of society to militarise the youth. Being in the army is dangerous (even in peace time) and soldiers pick up bad habits like smoking, drinking and are far more likely to resort to using prostitutes.

There is nothing much to be gained from being in any army - skills learned are usually non-transferable. Armed forces use people shamelessly. This use of people by a government is justifiable in certain circumstances but even Korea probably doesn't need to run it's army this way. They do it because they 'always have done' and because the US makes them.

As for conscripting women - no way - they have it hard enough in Korea anyway - partly because of the macho culture which is in part due to the draft.

Anyway - conscript armies usually perform poorly in action. France in WW2, US in Vietnam....

With the cost and complexity of modern weaponry, a well paid small and professional/mercenary army is the way to go. Less is more.

Skarp

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

My sympathies are with you Skarp. while i did say that I think military service should mandatory for Koreans i understand that i am not in your shoes. all the points you make are valid and true. It is free labor for the Korean government to use at will at the present time. Good luck

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

In an ideal society, there should be no army and no militarization. However, South Korea is still technically at war (the Korean War never officially ended as there was no treaty, only a cease-fire, which can go out the window any day). The fact is that the ROK needs a ready force, and how many would join if it were strictly voluntary?

On a side note, as a univerisity instructor, it is pretty amazing to see how well guys get shaped up in the army. Generally speaking, I'd say those who have gone are much more well-behaved than those who haven't yet. I had this kid last semester who would not shut up in class - ever. He didn't even bother to whisper, he would just contantly shout to his friends across the room during class. He just finished 4-months in the army and came into my class last week as a guest with one of his buddies. I thought, "Oh man, here we go...," but the guy was as quiet as a chruchmouse - not a peep out of him. I was stunned.

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

jaebea · Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Location: SYD

I'm guessing justb is talking about dual passport bearers in this case? :)

I'm a Korean Australian (no links to Korea, completely naturalised Australian, but born in Korea), and I certainly have no real affinity with the country. At the moment, it's just another country with a lot of people but one where I can speak the language and make some money.

That said, if (God forbid) Australia introduced national service, I would be proud to serve my country, simply for the argument that it's my duty, and it comes with being a citizen of this country.

On a tangent, there's that Yoo Seung Jun fellow. He got out of national service, became a naturalised US citizen and now, people in Korea probably wouldn't give him the time of day. :)

jae.